Liberals Tackling Price of Beer and Wine in Manitoba

WINNIPEG — Manitoba’s Liberals could be opening the possibility for some privatization when it comes to how liquor is sold in the province.

Leader Rana Bokhari introduced the idea of improving liquor pricing on Wednesday during a news conference outside of the Liquor Mart location in Osborne Village.

“The status quo is not acceptable in the 21st century. We will create a system that is customer focused and that means better price and availability for consumers,” Bokhari said.

Bokhari said her party will seek input from Manitobans and look at how other provinces and jurisdictions handle liquor sales and distribution to find a “made-in-Manitoba solution.”

The party will present a comprehensive plan on tackling beer, wine and spirits prices ahead of the 2016 provincial election.

If liquor sales remain controlled by the Crown corporation of Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, the Liberals say they would make drastic changes, including banning brand or product advertising using taxpayer funds.